Universal joint fitting challenge

[larryseaman]

Hi all, I'm having a huge headache with trying to fit a new GMB brand UJT21 uni/ spider joint to the drive shaft. I've managed to remove the old one (Koyo) but the new one isn't pressing in. All the research I've done online through different shops & spec websites says the GMB code is right but it looks ever so slightly different in size on the cap diameter. It is 29mm but the Koyo I removed is approx. ½mm smaller.
I even took the car part & new GMB joint to a guy in town who has a hydraulic press & he said it wasn't going in. "The joints I fit never take this amount of pressure & I don't want to damage your car part" he said.

It's the only car I have here & it's been out of order for two days trying to fit it so I'm desperately asking for any advise please!

 

[Shayne]

put in the freezer for an hour then try again

 

[larryseaman]

put in the freezer for an hour then try again

Ha! Never thought that would be suggested! Will definitely try it.
I'm in a very hot climate (Zambia) but wouldn't have thought that the u joint would change that much.
Have you tried that before?

 

[Dave]

Just measure them. If they’re not exactly the same as your old ones, they aint going to fit.

 

[larryseaman]

Just measure them. If they’re not exactly the same as your old ones, they aint going to fit.

Sadly I don't have calipers at the moment but here's a few photos to show the difference....

 

[Shayne]

Are front and rear UJ's different sizes ?

 

[larryseaman]

Are front and rear UJ's different sizes ?

As far as I know, through measuring & looking online they are both 29mm diameter caps. I fitted the same GMB in the rear end of the drive shaft a few years ago.

 

[Shayne]

I'm thinking i always ordered front and rear specifically but both my 90 series are swb

 

[Shayne]

From Roughtrax

Land Cruiser 90 series - Just fits the single UJ at the differential end, not the double wide angle joint at the gearbox end

GMB Prop Shaft Universal Joint (UJ) 29x49mm

Complete with cup seals, 4x "C" circlips & grease nipple for the end cap.

www.roughtrax4x4.com

 

[larryseaman]

From Roughtrax

Land Cruiser 90 series - Just fits the single UJ at the differential end, not the double wide angle joint at the gearbox end

GMB Prop Shaft Universal Joint (UJ) 29x49mm

Complete with cup seals, 4x "C" circlips & grease nipple for the end cap.

www.roughtrax4x4.com

So, I've just spoken to Roughtrax on the phone as I also saw that info on their website. They couldn't really explain why that U joint only fits the diff end but only explained that they don't sell one for the other end. They also said that for the cardan joint they usually advise the shaft is sent off to specialists for refurb.
I wonder if it's only for the diff end because the grease nipple is on the inside, not on the cap as per original due to tough access?

 

[Shayne]

https://www.amayama.com/en/genuine-catalogs/epc/toyota-europe/land_cruiser_prado/KZJ95R/5817/chassis/3701

 

[Shayne]

Try as i might i cannot find a separate part number so maybe its just a fluke of bad luck that somebody put the wrong part in the box ?

 

[Grimbo]

From the visual picture no way is that going to fit ...... your man with the hydraulic press was spot on
I've done 100's of different UJ joints on PTO shafts etc and most are way bigger than those .... all I ever have needed is a vice and a couple of the right size sockets to match the caps to use as a press and the other bigger one to allow the cap to go inside it as you press the cross out .

 

[Aeroelastic]

Check out this video:

4runner but should be similar. Also read the video description. He mentioned something about using another truck parts but this is in the states.
Toyota double cardan joint might not be as simple as the end UJ.

 

[Shayne]

4 Universal Joint for Landcruiser VDJ79 HZJ78 FZJ105 PRADO GRJ120 KZJ95 VZJ95 | eBay

FOR LANDCRUISERPRADO GRJ120 4.0L 1GR-FE DOHC-PB 24v MPFI V6 4WD [ 02/03 - 12/09]. FOR LANDCRUISERPRADO KZJ95 3.0L 1KZ-TE SOHC 8v Turbo Diesel 4WD [03/00 - 12/02]. FOR LANDCRUISERPRADO VZJ95 3.4L 5V-ZFE DOHC-PB 24v MPFI V6 4WD [07/96 - 02/03].

www.ebay.com.au

All the same size so i'd just bin the GMB and buy Toyo